tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31017401839386671572018-03-09T07:44:37.862-08:00Life, Love and LaughterAnn-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-36118537430256865352017-07-11T12:51:00.001-07:002017-07-11T12:51:58.320-07:00A Look Back at Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSx5Tb2JbBc/WWUqaeJhE9I/AAAAAAAATKk/Wib7BidSDRoDfFdYyIDHEb9i3Pk5UFl4gCLcBGAs/s1600/Spring%2B2017%2BCOLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="888" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSx5Tb2JbBc/WWUqaeJhE9I/AAAAAAAATKk/Wib7BidSDRoDfFdYyIDHEb9i3Pk5UFl4gCLcBGAs/s640/Spring%2B2017%2BCOLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Well, it seems that it is time for me to make more time for keeping memories and taking some time to savor the moments and blogging is a wonderful way to do that...so here we go {again}.<br />It was a wonderful (although pretty wet) spring and the summer is beautiful too!<br />Here are some pictures of what we've been up to the past few months.&nbsp; Lots of time in nature taking wildflower walks, cheering at Little League games and play rehearsals.&nbsp; My boys were involved in *two* plays that had performances a week apart.<br />We've been pretty busy and life has been filled with blessings and grace :)Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-39083028847225520032015-08-01T11:51:00.000-07:002015-08-01T11:51:46.861-07:00Clicking Around...Wow, this was a fast week that actually went by so slowly in my mind.&nbsp; Hope that makes some sense ;)&nbsp; My two oldest sons went to Boy Scout camp and *loved* it.&nbsp; While they were gone I had grand plans of planning school, a little purging in the small library that I have created over the years {yes, books are my weakness} and just getting things a little more in order.<br /><br />Well, let's just say...the best laid plans.....<br />My youngest son had other ideas which were WAY more fun than mine.&nbsp; We played lots of Clue, chess, Uno and some Mario Kart.&nbsp; We went mini golfing, out to lunch and roasted marshmallows.&nbsp; It was a little too hot and humid for my tastes, but, we managed to have a great time.&nbsp;<br /><br />Although I missed the oldest two {ALOT}, the quiet time here was nice!&nbsp; There is always a difference once you take one son {does not matter which one} out of the mix.&nbsp; There is no sibling feuding and sniping that tends to happen with kids close in age.<br /><br />It was quite relaxing :-)&nbsp; A sort of staycation of sorts.<br /><br />Anyway...here are some wonderful articles I happened upon in the past week or so that I wanted to share.<br /><br />While reading <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2015/07/from-my-commonplace_22.html">Celeste's</a> post about her commonplace, I found a wonderful link to Anthony Esolen's <a href="http://www.crisismagazine.com/2015/reform-and-renewal-starts-with-us">"Reform and Renewal Starts With Us".&nbsp;&nbsp;</a><br />Always love what Esolen has to say and this piece pretty much sums it up pretty concisely!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.scarymommy.com/articles/when-your-child-stops-being-a-kid?section=surviving-the-tween-years&amp;u=hf4nLtzmVA">Just Like That...</a>just about made me cry and pretty much tells what is on my heart lately about my oldest son&nbsp;<br /><br />Sarah's piece about <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/i-am-not-an-airplane/">I Am Not An Airplane</a> was a sort of relief to read.&nbsp; Nice to know that I am not the only one trying to do it all!<br /><br />And of course I have been working on my school plans and am thanking <a href="http://afterthoughtsblog.net/">Brandy</a> profusely for sharing all of <a href="http://afterthoughtsblog.net/2015/07/charlotte-mason-homeschool-plannning.html">her plans!</a><br /><br />That's it for now...off to have some fun!<br /><br />Have a great weekend! <br /><br /><br />&nbsp; Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-29938723228548990762015-07-22T12:25:00.001-07:002015-07-22T12:25:17.651-07:00Top Five Reasons Gardening Is Good for the Soul1.&nbsp; It promotes <b><i>Diligence</i></b>.<br /><br />Nobody likes to weed.&nbsp; Admit it, if you had a choice you probably would chose not to weed a garden.&nbsp; Weeding is like anything else that promotes good habits...exercising, losing weight, eating right, raising kids...you need to get in there and not be afraid to do the work and get dirty!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHRkOcp_JoE/Sn2BqVPB6cI/AAAAAAAAADU/PQAyMYbWJ7I/s1600/100_4667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHRkOcp_JoE/Sn2BqVPB6cI/AAAAAAAAADU/PQAyMYbWJ7I/s400/100_4667.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><br />2.&nbsp; It promotes <i><b>Leisure</b></i>.<br /><br />While you are in there with your hands filled with dirt {which by the way is one of the best feelings in the world}, you have plenty of time to contemplate and give thanks for all of the beauty and blessings around you.&nbsp; If you take the time to do this, I promise the rewards are many!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kehwct9Y_Vo/T-ismoujYsI/AAAAAAAAAlI/OgdYkcVL99E/s1600/Picture%2B1327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_909973944"></span><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kehwct9Y_Vo/T-ismoujYsI/AAAAAAAAAlI/OgdYkcVL99E/s400/Picture%2B1327.jpg" width="400" /><span id="goog_909973945"></span>&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3.&nbsp; It promotes <b><i>Serenity</i></b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How can you not feel better with being outside on a gorgeous summer afternoon and just soaking in all of the fresh air and sunshine!&nbsp; It's all good and that is the way that God intended it to be!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XZMqIF9rtBg/Va_oYzhWNhI/AAAAAAAABbI/PcagML7pN28/s1600/IMG_8876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XZMqIF9rtBg/Va_oYzhWNhI/AAAAAAAABbI/PcagML7pN28/s400/IMG_8876.JPG" width="400" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4.&nbsp; It promotes <b><i>Forgiveness</i></b>.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gardens are very fickle at times and if we are not on top of our game, we may not have much fruit when it comes harvest time!&nbsp; I have learned over the years that if something is not thriving, it is time to cut our losses and pick up that hoe cause it's gotta go!&nbsp; I have spent more than one season trying to revive something that is just not meant to be.&nbsp; Instead, now I realize that it is not meant to grow at this time, make peace with that and in a way repent for the mistake made.&nbsp; Gardening is definitely a learned hobby that over time and with each year I learn a bit more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGfG6bLA5UU/Ti3d6ngqSGI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/Ytp7uAAjuj0/s1600/100_6761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGfG6bLA5UU/Ti3d6ngqSGI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/Ytp7uAAjuj0/s400/100_6761.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5.&nbsp; It promotes <i><b>Humility</b></i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How can you go outside and take time to carefully observe nature and not know that you are in the midst of something amazing and bigger than you are?&nbsp; It is at times like stepping into Wonderland as Alice did.&nbsp; The sights, smells and sounds of summer are truly distinct from any other season and make you feel wonderful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1b0aUQc9-yk/T52U3mbyprI/AAAAAAAAAWE/YLSVB1rRNvI/s1600/101_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1b0aUQc9-yk/T52U3mbyprI/AAAAAAAAAWE/YLSVB1rRNvI/s400/101_1621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I try to get out to my garden every night after dinner and take a little time to make it better.&nbsp; There are a thousand other things that I probably should be doing, but, this is a little piece of my day that I carve out to spend with nature, my garden and God and love every minute of it.&nbsp; I make the garden better and being in nature more makes me a better person too :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-55706850170450799602015-06-26T11:10:00.002-07:002015-07-02T09:13:13.734-07:00Some of My Favorite Homeschool Goodies<a href="http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000-primary.html"><span style="color: blue;">1000 GOOD *Classical* BOOKS</span></a><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.4tunate.net/2012/05/65-favorite-read-aloud-books-for-boys-readers-choice/">Favorite Boy Read Alouds</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/BiblePrintablesFruitoftheSpirit.html#.VY1ApUb2om5">Bible Story Printables</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://classicalconversationsathome.com/">Classical Conversations at Home</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.dltk-kids.com/">Fun Printables and Worksheets</a></span><br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://fiveinarow.com/">Five in a Row</a>&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20120818-Why-Homeschool.html">GREAT audio on "Why Homeschool"</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.halfahundredacrewood.com/2012/05/classical-conversations-cycle-1-one.html">Half a Hundred Acre Wood</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ordo-amoris.com/">Morning Time Moms...It's a Liturgy</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://mapmaker.education.nationalgeographic.com/?ar_a=1&amp;b=1&amp;ls=000000000000">National Geographic Interactive Mapmaker</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/house-wren?source=A-to-Z">Natl Geographic Bird Site</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.stellarium.org/">Stellarium Planetarium</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.thatartistwoman.org/">That Artist Woman</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.worldbook.com/75f1bd25-7d5c-68b4-aa50-ff0000220e83">Worldbook Course of Study</a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.worldbook.com/free-educational-resources/typical-course-of-study/grade-7">Worldbook Course of Study</a>&nbsp;</span>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-45145181816882999582014-05-11T12:26:00.001-07:002014-05-11T12:27:59.100-07:00Happy Mother's Day, Mommas!<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: magenta;">Here are a few of my favorite sentiments about motherhood...</span></i></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S7H3KD7rpy0/U2_N62sp3EI/AAAAAAAABYE/pa7Sf2K2vH8/s1600/pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S7H3KD7rpy0/U2_N62sp3EI/AAAAAAAABYE/pa7Sf2K2vH8/s1600/pie.jpg" height="147" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7m3yUgP9-8/U2_N9aTxijI/AAAAAAAABYM/57WhS1SkRRg/s1600/Best-Happy-Mothers-Day-Quotes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7m3yUgP9-8/U2_N9aTxijI/AAAAAAAABYM/57WhS1SkRRg/s1600/Best-Happy-Mothers-Day-Quotes2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiGd-dxCr_w/U2_N_f0zC_I/AAAAAAAABYU/4teyrf7-nqI/s1600/Blessed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiGd-dxCr_w/U2_N_f0zC_I/AAAAAAAABYU/4teyrf7-nqI/s1600/Blessed.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GB5Z5bdQVbU/U2_OBbl7EAI/AAAAAAAABYc/wUpbYA-mmHE/s1600/happy-mothers-day-poems-wallpapers-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GB5Z5bdQVbU/U2_OBbl7EAI/AAAAAAAABYc/wUpbYA-mmHE/s1600/happy-mothers-day-poems-wallpapers-1024x768.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers."<br /> ~ <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=437733289637528" href="https://www.facebook.com/RudyardKiplingAuthor" id="js_6">Rudyard Kipling</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I hope you are all wrapped in the love of your children and enjoying a very blessed Mother's Day!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div></div>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-21830216453375816312014-05-06T11:42:00.001-07:002015-06-25T15:11:39.209-07:00Because I'm Happy!Love, love, love this song from Despicable Me 2:<br /><br />Here's the original video, which should make you want to get up and dance :-)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/y6Sxv-sUYtM?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And here is a cute one with the minions!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-GLuydiMe4?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just listening to this song makes me HaPpY!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So with HaPpInEsS, comes grace and JOY and more reasons to give thanks to God for the many, many blessings in my life:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reasons 100-105</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">100.&nbsp; The song HaPpY</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">101.&nbsp; Gentle spring breezes after a long, hard winter</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">102.&nbsp; Listening to my youngest child read aloud to me (this&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; one makes me especially HaPpY)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">103.&nbsp; Birds working together making nests for coming babies</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">104.&nbsp; Watching sweet, sleeping children</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">105.&nbsp; Daffodils&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, go grab YOUR minions and get HaPpY!</span></div><br /><br /><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-84577354812881652322014-04-29T07:37:00.000-07:002014-04-29T15:48:00.445-07:00An April Daybook {the Happy Birthday to Me edition}<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style><![endif]--><br /><h2></h2><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Outside my window…</span></span></h2>The birds are singing and the wind is blowing lightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Hoping for more glorious sunshine today!<br /><br /><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Giving thanks…</span></span></h2>For spring and all of the loveliness that is blooming around me!<br /><br /><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am thinking about…</span></span></h2>How very blessed I am and how this coming year is going to be amazing.&nbsp; Trying not to take any of this for granted and to stay in the moment as much as possible without mentally hopping on to the next thing.<br /><br /><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the Schoolroom…</span></span></h2><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Wrapping up our school year in the next few weeks.&nbsp; I am really not in any rush to complete our work this year.&nbsp; I have been re-thinking things and realize that there is no need to do “it all” just to have it all done.&nbsp; Slow, steady appreciation of beauty soothes and nourishes the soul better.&nbsp; I am actively choosing quality over quantity and resting in Him.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We'll take a little time off when we are done, and then I have some fun things planned for the summer including a nature study and learning Latin. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><h2><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></h2><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">From the kitchen…</span></span></h2>Nothing from me at the moment, but, I can hear little people baking a birthday cake for me.<br /><br /><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am creating…</span></span></h2>A sweet little baby blanket for my niece’s baby due in a few months.<br />I remember when I was creating sweet little babies...seems so long ago.<br /><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t ever want to forget…</span></span></h2><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">The way Lovey Dovey loves to read to me!&nbsp; He just grabs his book and we snuggle up and I just look at him and soak in all of the love that just pours out of this boy.&nbsp; Right now we are working our way through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Early-Readers-Bible-Gilbert-Beers/dp/0310701392/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1398779422&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+early+readers+bible">The Early Reader's Bible</a> and he just cannot get enough</span>!</span></span><br /><h2><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</h2><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;I am working on…</span></span></h2><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Planning our garden for this year.&nbsp; We are going to try Square Foot Gardening this year and I am SO excited about it!&nbsp; We just purchased our seeds from and will plant in a few weeks.</span></span><br /><br /><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am reading…</span></span></h2>Many different books:<br />&nbsp;For myself, I am reading a few books simultaneously.<br />-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Square-Foot-Gardening-Second-Edition/dp/1591865484/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1398779618&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Square+Foot+Gardening">The All New Square Foot Gardening</a><br />-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hold-On-Your-Kids-Parents/dp/0375760288/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1398779667&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Hold+on+to+Your+Kids">Hold on to Your Kids</a><br />-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Principle-Secret-Joy-Filled-Life/dp/1414313047/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1398779708&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+4%3A8+Principle">The 4:8 Principle The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life</a><br />-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Living-Page-Notebooks-Charlotte/dp/0615834108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1398779757&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+Living+Page">The Living Page</a><br /><br />With my little people we are reading:<br />-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amons-Adventure-Family-Story-Easter/dp/0825441714/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1398779798&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Amon%3Fs+Adventures">Amon’s Adventures</a><br />-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Banks-Plum-Creek-Little-House/dp/0064400042/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1398779821&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=On+the+Shores+of+Plum+Creek">On the Banks of Plum Creek</a><br />-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Horse-His-Boy-Lewis/dp/0064471063/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1398779859&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=A+Boy+and+His+Horse">The Horse and His Boy</a><br /><br /><i>all.great.reads :-) </i><br /><br /><h2><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">I am praying…</span></span></h2>For my brothers, my sons, my husband and myself {I tend to forget that last one at times}<br /><br /><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am struggling…</span></span></h2>To find complete and total rest in Him and hand over the reigns and just follow His lead.<br />Baby steps…one day at a time <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:-)</span></span><br /><h2><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">I am hearing…</span></span></h2><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Podcasts and audio lectures!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Love, love, love&nbsp; :-)</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are a few that should not be missed!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">--<a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/node/2808">Teaching From a State of Rest</a> audio lecture with Andrew Kern.&nbsp; Fantastic and well worth listening to!</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">--<a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/1/">RAR #1</a>&nbsp; <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/">Sarah @amongstlovelythings</a> has been working very hard on creating a community to nourish the momma heart.&nbsp; She just made her first podcast chatting with Andrew Pudewa from IEW and it was AWESOME!</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">--<a href="http://iew.com/help-support/resources/mp3-resources/nurturing-competent-communicators">Nurturing&nbsp; Competent Communicators </a>with Andrew Pudewa.&nbsp; Some very good information&nbsp; and well worth listening to more than once.</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></span> <br /><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Clicking around…</span></span></h2><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="http://handbookofnaturestudy.com/">Handbook of Nature Study</a></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/2012/04/inspiring-children">Inspiring Children</a></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="http://www.ordo-amoris.com/2013/10/favorite-family-read-alouds.html">31 Days to Morning Time</a></li></ul><br /><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">Around the house…</span></span></h2>Books everywhere. Trying to revamp, regroup and reorganize the school room as well as the rest of our home.<br /><br /><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite things…</span></span></h2><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Finding JOY in all of the little things in every day life.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I swear, once you do it and make it a <i>habit, </i>it is SO addicting and you find yourself happier and more filled with grace and joy for your efforts.&nbsp; So much of our noise that fills our days is negative thinking and outside influence.&nbsp; Once we realize that only positive thoughts come from God we begin creating a virtuous cycle which is a JOY to live!</span></span><br /><br /><h2><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few plans for the next week…</span></span></h2>Eating a little birthday cake and spending as much time outside as possible soaking in the sunshine.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdtJVG_9a2o/U2ArzrG3-iI/AAAAAAAABX0/rkPxYefSjnY/s1600/IMG_4220-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdtJVG_9a2o/U2ArzrG3-iI/AAAAAAAABX0/rkPxYefSjnY/s1600/IMG_4220-001.JPG" height="472" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-46188451849404465022014-04-28T08:59:00.002-07:002014-04-28T08:59:58.290-07:00Happy Spring and Hello Again!<br />&nbsp; <br />Well, this has been a whirlwind few months!<br />I feel like I blinked and it was just January, and now we are two days away from May.&nbsp; It has been a crazy few months filled with one wedding, two funerals, three birthdays and an abundance of life sandwiched in between.<br /><br />After a long, hard, frigid winter, I am just beginning to contemplate catching up.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0209eNc4nM/U156RsSARvI/AAAAAAAABXc/3RP5PR_vF_8/s1600/Flower_Daffodil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0209eNc4nM/U156RsSARvI/AAAAAAAABXc/3RP5PR_vF_8/s1600/Flower_Daffodil.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Something about Spring and the lovely flowers brings it all into focus again.&nbsp; It makes me yearn to be outside and alive in all of God's goodness.<br /><br /><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-32069704764829038132014-02-18T11:13:00.000-08:002014-02-18T11:13:21.656-08:00*Grace...Gratitude...Joy*Getting back to my<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/01/when-youre-desperate-to-more-than-barely-survive-your-life/"> 1000 Gifts</a> Journaling Adventure for this year, I wanted to share as I went along, so here goes!<br /><br />Reasons to give great praise and thank God for all of His goodness:<br /><br />79. Dancing and singing with Lovey Dovey in the kitchen<br />80.&nbsp; My husband waking up and hugging me at 5:00 a.m.<br />81.&nbsp; Blowing bubbles in the summer breeze.<br />82.&nbsp; Picnics at the lake<br />83.&nbsp; Brothers enjoying a great book together<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DLErNseza4/UwOvbwQdkmI/AAAAAAAABVw/0TmqeW4sQfg/s1600/IMG_3682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DLErNseza4/UwOvbwQdkmI/AAAAAAAABVw/0TmqeW4sQfg/s1600/IMG_3682.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Snapped these two goodies today while they weren't really looking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DMT-SsamP_U/UwOvyziinkI/AAAAAAAABV4/PxYLmGINYtY/s1600/IMG_3687-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DMT-SsamP_U/UwOvyziinkI/AAAAAAAABV4/PxYLmGINYtY/s1600/IMG_3687-001.JPG" height="548" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-25124134397010730962014-02-17T05:01:00.001-08:002014-02-17T05:01:30.376-08:00Love Is...<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a re-post from last year's Valentine's post.&nbsp; It is one of my favorites and worth a second glance :-) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have decided to make a St. Valentine's Day post a few days early.&nbsp; Today is the 15th anniversary of my Mom's death and the day before Ash Wednesday.&nbsp; Each year this time of year reminds me of the important things I have been blessed with in my life.&nbsp; I am now at a point in life where I can think of my Mom today with more thoughts of happiness, thankfulness and joy than of sadness.&nbsp; I am a better person {and mother} because of her and for that I am thankful.&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have decided that this month I am going to memorize <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsva/1-corinthians/passage.aspx?q=1-corinthians+13:1-13" target="_blank" title="1 Corinthians 13:1-13">1 Corinthians 13:1-13</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've always loved that particular scripture and it was part of our wedding too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is why I like it best...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;">Love is patient and kind;&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7USs2ibpgKg/UQ7NS11-KeI/AAAAAAAAA8w/6VeNuz0b6AU/s1600/100_0108.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7USs2ibpgKg/UQ7NS11-KeI/AAAAAAAAA8w/6VeNuz0b6AU/s320/100_0108.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQyfqnMDsRI/UQ7M81zwQ-I/AAAAAAAAA8g/nlRIHyYMOtU/s1600/100_2733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQyfqnMDsRI/UQ7M81zwQ-I/AAAAAAAAA8g/nlRIHyYMOtU/s320/100_2733.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5VZ3-10Ip4/UQ7QXR6S40I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/EhPavheyGko/s1600/Picture+1131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5VZ3-10Ip4/UQ7QXR6S40I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/EhPavheyGko/s320/Picture+1131.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;">love is not jealous or boastful;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFA0nUZmX-c/UQ7SiyRp2HI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/FEA6qa9PEvA/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFA0nUZmX-c/UQ7SiyRp2HI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/FEA6qa9PEvA/s320/IMG_0060.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;">&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bh5qRzhRtAY/UQ7TnwCKC2I/AAAAAAAAA_w/R_EmiLQo408/s1600/100_2778.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bh5qRzhRtAY/UQ7TnwCKC2I/AAAAAAAAA_w/R_EmiLQo408/s320/100_2778.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KCF5NWk7hpU/UQ7QRCAERTI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/L61yK1TT7xA/s1600/Picture+1260.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KCF5NWk7hpU/UQ7QRCAERTI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/L61yK1TT7xA/s320/Picture+1260.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;">&nbsp;it is not arrogant or rude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmybs00lT6I/UQ7MW_Yg-MI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/U6gGg2Ua-rA/s1600/100_3053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmybs00lT6I/UQ7MW_Yg-MI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/U6gGg2Ua-rA/s320/100_3053.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKWCTUm_P2Y/UQ7MBADIYvI/AAAAAAAAA8A/u5-s8PktyrA/s1600/100_3133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKWCTUm_P2Y/UQ7MBADIYvI/AAAAAAAAA8A/u5-s8PktyrA/s320/100_3133.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_i-E7Ds_Is/UQ7Ng5WZ0xI/AAAAAAAAA9A/EZDfP9AxUlo/s1600/100_1642_057_057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_i-E7Ds_Is/UQ7Ng5WZ0xI/AAAAAAAAA9A/EZDfP9AxUlo/s320/100_1642_057_057.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;">Love does not insist on its own way; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;">it is not irritable or resentful;&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ST-OpV95j3s/UQ7Nbs3c1_I/AAAAAAAAA84/bKnvHF4prbQ/s1600/100_1575_004_004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ST-OpV95j3s/UQ7Nbs3c1_I/AAAAAAAAA84/bKnvHF4prbQ/s320/100_1575_004_004.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-csXLypOGMPw/UQ7MiTLi6iI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/YhMBnf1Ozy4/s1600/100_2974.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-csXLypOGMPw/UQ7MiTLi6iI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/YhMBnf1Ozy4/s320/100_2974.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhmJcqspvsg/UQ7PhuHbkTI/AAAAAAAAA94/xXNnliltElg/s1600/brotherly+love.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhmJcqspvsg/UQ7PhuHbkTI/AAAAAAAAA94/xXNnliltElg/s320/brotherly+love.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;">&nbsp;it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ke3I_DATgw0/UQ7MMHnr4pI/AAAAAAAAA8I/5LJn89LXouQ/s1600/100_3104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ke3I_DATgw0/UQ7MMHnr4pI/AAAAAAAAA8I/5LJn89LXouQ/s320/100_3104.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--m-t-rog_Zs/UQ7ReVmJ4kI/AAAAAAAAA-4/ELvdfhDW6fs/s1600/Picture+531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--m-t-rog_Zs/UQ7ReVmJ4kI/AAAAAAAAA-4/ELvdfhDW6fs/s320/Picture+531.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1N6lwlkE67I/UQ7T8rPVK1I/AAAAAAAAA_4/WFNa5zVbN6U/s1600/100_3006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1N6lwlkE67I/UQ7T8rPVK1I/AAAAAAAAA_4/WFNa5zVbN6U/s320/100_3006.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;">Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYjVtVRCAow/UQ7NJplE80I/AAAAAAAAA8o/u_JyOZ-d4nw/s1600/100_2696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYjVtVRCAow/UQ7NJplE80I/AAAAAAAAA8o/u_JyOZ-d4nw/s320/100_2696.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3QVf1Hf1OQ/UQ7NuRWiKtI/AAAAAAAAA9I/TgK2mF3nG1A/s1600/Preview52.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3QVf1Hf1OQ/UQ7NuRWiKtI/AAAAAAAAA9I/TgK2mF3nG1A/s320/Preview52.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxPL_bdE8As/UQ7OvtmSgBI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/neer7ompgKw/s1600/100_3577.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxPL_bdE8As/UQ7OvtmSgBI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/neer7ompgKw/s320/100_3577.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8Hu85kVy90/UQ7O_yHdIqI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/AsX8IJmiXPs/s1600/100_1471.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8Hu85kVy90/UQ7O_yHdIqI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/AsX8IJmiXPs/s320/100_1471.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhvtX7Fpfo8/UQ7PU860hnI/AAAAAAAAA9o/zhAxI0ISo6U/s1600/hands+border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhvtX7Fpfo8/UQ7PU860hnI/AAAAAAAAA9o/zhAxI0ISo6U/s320/hands+border.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-roq3P9MC3T8/UQ7PeS8QuqI/AAAAAAAAA9w/mUuphve5OWs/s1600/Noelle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-roq3P9MC3T8/UQ7PeS8QuqI/AAAAAAAAA9w/mUuphve5OWs/s320/Noelle.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmzyQa0f7Yg/UQ7QIf9KSeI/AAAAAAAAA-I/yS3p54yh32U/s1600/Picture+1305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmzyQa0f7Yg/UQ7QIf9KSeI/AAAAAAAAA-I/yS3p54yh32U/s320/Picture+1305.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1T2RJ2cNAXQ/UQ7QrcvH3FI/AAAAAAAAA-g/SmYtfmHCDy0/s1600/Picture+933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1T2RJ2cNAXQ/UQ7QrcvH3FI/AAAAAAAAA-g/SmYtfmHCDy0/s320/Picture+933.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBIjEezd3QY/UQ7Q7kBY7GI/AAAAAAAAA-o/HmtGnlshuls/s1600/Picture+770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBIjEezd3QY/UQ7Q7kBY7GI/AAAAAAAAA-o/HmtGnlshuls/s320/Picture+770.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--m-t-rog_Zs/UQ7ReVmJ4kI/AAAAAAAAA-4/ELvdfhDW6fs/s1600/Picture+531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmkZ_OnQRQU/UQ7RxQFNGrI/AAAAAAAAA_A/VLxP4mGSz2o/s1600/Picture+226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmkZ_OnQRQU/UQ7RxQFNGrI/AAAAAAAAA_A/VLxP4mGSz2o/s320/Picture+226.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wnwiUj3CoU/UQ7SV1jOqfI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/PloUERVYCYI/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wnwiUj3CoU/UQ7SV1jOqfI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/PloUERVYCYI/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHDzbb78Ats/UQ7So2Jy5xI/AAAAAAAAA_g/ZKZc1GDj1IQ/s1600/inlet+sunset+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHDzbb78Ats/UQ7So2Jy5xI/AAAAAAAAA_g/ZKZc1GDj1IQ/s320/inlet+sunset+3.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCKar6XOJtc/UQ7S7T6DJ-I/AAAAAAAAA_o/-dw4pQc22Ao/s1600/100_7662.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCKar6XOJtc/UQ7S7T6DJ-I/AAAAAAAAA_o/-dw4pQc22Ao/s320/100_7662.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1N6lwlkE67I/UQ7T8rPVK1I/AAAAAAAAA_4/WFNa5zVbN6U/s1600/100_3006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Love never ends.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Redressed; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO;">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fH9XB655xkU/UQ7L0xM_GrI/AAAAAAAAA74/KK8a6hqKJsk/s1600/radison33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fH9XB655xkU/UQ7L0xM_GrI/AAAAAAAAA74/KK8a6hqKJsk/s640/radison33.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-88114065631992943632014-02-13T04:54:00.000-08:002014-02-13T04:54:10.709-08:00Celebrating My Mom<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}">Yesterday was the 16th anniversary of my Mom's death. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}">It’s hard to believe that it’s been 16 years since my Mom went to be with Jesus. I’ve decided to celebrate her life instead of mourning my loss. She was an incredibly strong woman who persevered during many adversities in her life. The more I look at myself, the more I see her traits, the good and not so good within me. She was a kind, sweet caring person who always put people before things, cou<span class="text_exposed_show">ld bake the most delicious homemade bread from scratch and read a 300 page novel in less than two days!&nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}"><span class="text_exposed_show">&nbsp;Some of the sweetest memories I have of her are baking in the kitchen together when I was little, the many, many long walks we took down Main Street growing up {mom didn’t drive}, her dressing up taking me trick or treating as a child, and walking me to school and attending Mass each day during elementary school {doubly blessed if it were a feast day as I attended Catholic school}.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> She was kind, loved God and all the people who she was blessed to know and although her life was not always the way it appeared to me and there were many times of struggle, she always placed her faith in God to carry her through and He did. <br /> Thank you SO much, Mom, for helping to make me the person I am today!</span></span></span></div>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-38067158996399494272014-02-07T05:06:00.004-08:002014-02-07T05:06:52.363-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--VZk5S7gl2A/UvTaKqsnfMI/AAAAAAAABVg/0snKCIVHqKI/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--VZk5S7gl2A/UvTaKqsnfMI/AAAAAAAABVg/0snKCIVHqKI/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">digging out from the major blast of snow two days ago</span></div>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-78137480715510201452014-01-31T05:48:00.001-08:002014-01-31T05:48:41.969-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzpD4Cm6JuE/UuupkelqRqI/AAAAAAAABVA/VswBGxH_5WQ/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzpD4Cm6JuE/UuupkelqRqI/AAAAAAAABVA/VswBGxH_5WQ/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-13500538155962263942014-01-29T13:24:00.001-08:002014-01-30T04:40:32.624-08:00Rejoice and Be GladDo you find yourself a bit let down after the excitement and anticipation of Christmas is over?<br /><br />&nbsp;Although we celebrate til the very last day possible {usually being Epiphany, but, this year our pastor explained to us that Christmas does indeed extend to the Baptism of our Lord}, I still find myself let down after it is over.<br /><br />To me it is similar to giving birth...although I was thrilled to be holding that new, sweet little bundle of joy in my arms and to love him first hand, I somehow always found myself missing being pregnant.&nbsp; Yes...I know, you are saying that I am weird, but, I truly did.&nbsp; I loved being pregnant...each and every minute of it.&nbsp; I was very blessed and had three amazingly uneventful healthy pregnancies and absolutely *loved* carrying and feeling those little people inside of me!<br /><br />In the midst of an extremely frigid winter, let down can truly get you down!&nbsp; We've had arctic, bone chilling cold here for weeks and it does not look like things are going to be changing much tomorrow!&nbsp; I need something...<br /><br />anything....<br /><br />to look forward to.<br /><br />I need to find my inner happy.&nbsp; It has seemed to be a bit lost right now.<br /><br />I find myself <strike>running</strike> rushing {even though we are inside due to cold} all day long.&nbsp; There seems to be a constant race, inside my mind, to get <i><span style="font-size: large;">things </span></i>done.&nbsp; Things, that ugly word that sometimes takes over our lives and makes us run like a chicken with its head cut off and away from what we should be focusing on!<br /><br />So...I am on a quest to find more JOY and less chaos.<br /><br />According to Mirriam-Webster, joy is defined as<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>JOY</u></span> (noun)&nbsp; </div>: a feeling of great happiness<br />: a source or cause of great happiness : something or someone that gives joy to someone<br /><br />It's origin comes from&nbsp; from Latin <i>gaudia,</i> plural of <i>gaudium,</i> from <i>gaudēre</i> to rejoice; probably akin to Greek <i>gēthein</i> to rejoice.<br /><br />Intriguingly enough the antonyms of joy are:<br />&nbsp;<a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calamity">calamity</a>, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ill-being">ill-being</a>, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misery">misery</a>, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sadness">sadness</a>, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unhappiness">unhappiness</a>, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wretchedness">wretchedness</a><br /><br /><br />That is how things feel lately...sad, ill and unhappy, like something is really missing or slightly askew.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the second year in a row I have felt this way after Christmas is over and January rolls around.&nbsp; There is so much that needs to be done, and I just am not feeling the love for it like usual.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I recently purchased Ann Voskamp's&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Devotional-Reflections/dp/0310315441/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1391028767&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=ann+voskamp">One Thousand Gifts Devotional</a>.&nbsp; I have read her One Thousand Gits and really enjoyed and even began a thankful journal of my own last summer, but, in the busyness of life it was set aside never to be returned to.&nbsp; I only got to #42 in my journal.&nbsp; This devotional is AMAZING!&nbsp; I cannot say enough wonderful things about it.&nbsp; I think I am loving it even better than the book.&nbsp; It has 60 devotions to reflect on and I am running through them craving more.&nbsp; It is feeding my heart and soul</span> and really making me feel rejuvenated.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVY4GrjAHB0/UupHxwgTOaI/AAAAAAAABUw/eUYA0NzGS7Q/s1600/JOY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVY4GrjAHB0/UupHxwgTOaI/AAAAAAAABUw/eUYA0NzGS7Q/s1600/JOY.jpg" height="181" width="640" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I even picked up my thankful journal.&nbsp; The one with the meager 42 entries in it.&nbsp; I read it over and it made me smile HUGE.&nbsp; All of the memories from those 42 events just re-filled my heart and soul as well and made me realize how very blessed I am and it also makes me realize that I need to always thank God for the little things in life.&nbsp; I am pretty good about being thankful and I know I am blessed, but, in all of the chaos in our day to day living, sometimes all of that goodness gets lost.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Can you relate?</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">I am at a point in my life where I am thinking about things like how my oldest son is only six years away from going to college and that makes me sad that he is growing up SO fast.&nbsp; I know it is good and wonderful and he is a wonderful boy, but, for this momma, time still passes much too quickly.&nbsp; As I find myself rushing from task to task I am missing some of the graces that God is showering me with.&nbsp; I don't want to miss anything and especially because I feel the need to rush on to the next thing {there's that word again}.</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">I want to be intentional, in the here and now as much as I can.</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">So instead of hearing all of the noise and chaos while I make dinner {my sons seem to rev up around 4:30 p.m.}, I am intentionally choosing to hear the laughter and watch what they are doing and seeing why it is so funny.&nbsp; It makes me smile HUGE too!</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">All that we have is a gift from God.&nbsp; It is our choice whether we accept the gift graciously and with a thankful heart or if we are like a little child rushing off to the next pretty thing that gets our attention.</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">There is always more grace, more joy in Him.&nbsp; God wants us to be happy, thankful and to rejoice in His goodness.&nbsp; The more we rejoice and are thankful, the more we see how good and wonderful He is.&nbsp; The solution for chaos and anxiety is loving and thanking God for all of His many blessings that we have in our lives.&nbsp; Without Him we are nothing.</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">I have seen many bloggers chose a word for the new year that they feel will encourage or enlighten them.&nbsp; If I had to chose a word it would be:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><i><span style="font-size: large;">Rejoice</span></i></u>&nbsp; (verb)</div><div style="text-align: center;">to feel or show great joy or delight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am choosing to rejoice and be glad in all things through Him {psalm 118}.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have only been practicing this and keeping my journal for a few days now, but, can tell you that between thankfulness, prayer and adoration I can feel a change in those let down post Christmas feelings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The days are getting longer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The sun is getting brighter and the weather will warm up.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I see gorgeous bluejays and cardinals in the snow and rejoice in the gift of their presence and know that their many friends who flew south a few months back will be back soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I choose JOY!</div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span> </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><h2></h2>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-89456774042619881012014-01-28T10:58:00.003-08:002014-01-28T10:59:45.113-08:00Revisting My First Post...<div class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">WOW!&nbsp; I cannot believe that I have been blogging for almost five years now.&nbsp; I just took a few moments to look over the first year of posts and came across this one, which was my first post.</span></span></div><div class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"><br /></div><div class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This serves as a gentle reminder for me...</span></span></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>He will handle things.......in His timing....</i></span></span></span></h3><span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="post-header"></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4854498757017182592" itemprop="description articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;">To: <i>YOU</i><br /><br />Date: TODAY<br /><br />From: <i>GOD</i><br /><br />Subject: YOURSELF<br /><br />Reference: LIFE<br /><br /><i>This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help.&nbsp;</i></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4854498757017182592" itemprop="description articleBody"></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4854498757017182592" itemprop="description articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>So, have a nice day.<br /><br />I love you.<br /><br />P.S. And, remember...<br /><br />If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.<br /><br />Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now. </i></span></div><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"><span class="post-author vcard"></span><span class="post-icons"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-405745831"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3101740183938667157&amp;postID=4854498757017182592&amp;from=pencil" title="Edit Post"></a></span></span></div>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-92120102273639816382014-01-24T05:28:00.001-08:002014-01-24T05:28:26.192-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3laCIm-kLw/UuJqXAut6DI/AAAAAAAABS0/i1YwrsNsBf0/s1600/104_0027-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3laCIm-kLw/UuJqXAut6DI/AAAAAAAABS0/i1YwrsNsBf0/s1600/104_0027-003.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-15631628169698538272014-01-22T14:28:00.001-08:002014-01-22T14:28:48.072-08:00For Your Listening PleasureTo warm your soul and encourage your spirit during these cold {and I mean <i>COLD</i>} winter days.... <br /><br /><a href="http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20120818-Why-Homeschool.html">Why Homeschool?</a><br />&nbsp;This is a phenomenal homily encouraging us to strive to sanctify our lives while homeschooling.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/Memorization%20and%20the%20Soul:%20Why,%20What,%20and%20How%20by%20Brandy%20Vencel">Memorization and the Soul: Why, What, and How by Brandy Vencel</a><br />I have been a HUGE fan of Brandy for a long time and love her thoughts.&nbsp; You will truly enjoy this :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://heidistjohn.com/podcast">Heidi St. John</a>&nbsp; I just *love* her!&nbsp; She is so encouraging and down to earth.&nbsp; It's almost like sitting with a good friend, relaxing over a cup of tea.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/podcast">Great CiRCE Podcasts&nbsp;</a><br />and a few more...<br /><a href="http://CiRCE Audio Library">CiRCE Audio Library</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/media/audio/assessment-blesses">Andrew Kern...The Assessment That Blesses {LOVE this one}</a><br /><br /><a href="http://iew.com/shop/products/fairy-tales-and-moral-imagination-andrew-pudewa">Andrew Pudewa...Fairy Talea and Moral Imagination</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/audio">Teaching Boys Who Would Rather Be Making Forts All Day {I have a few of those}</a><br /><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/living-inspired-02-28-2013/id352069949?i=134573710&amp;mt=2">Living Inspired With Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae</a><br /><br />Hope you are staying warm and inspired during these cold winter days!Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-81715579640930058762014-01-17T05:07:00.002-08:002014-01-17T05:07:19.739-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPIGP_KDy-k/UtkqRrKg28I/AAAAAAAABSk/6IBni0bGPas/s1600/IMG_3069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPIGP_KDy-k/UtkqRrKg28I/AAAAAAAABSk/6IBni0bGPas/s1600/IMG_3069.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">We lost electricity the other night and spent such a peaceful and sweet night together making shadow puppets and just having fun!&nbsp; I wish it would go out more often ;)&nbsp; I just love the glow from the candle light in this picture!</span>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-69408600495117253812014-01-16T04:43:00.001-08:002014-01-16T04:43:11.384-08:002013 In Review...The wonderful thing about a year is that it is 365 days and then it is done.<br /><br />Whether it was a fabulous year <i>or not</i>, come January 1st there is always new hope for the new year and that my friends can be very refreshing at times!<br /><br />This past year was quite the topsy turvy year for our family.<br />There were many <a href="http://mythreesonslifelovelaughter.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-testament-to-gods-faithful-loving.html">challenges</a>, but, we kept the faith, persevered and made it through!&nbsp; I would not call it the best year we've had, but, it has been a year filled with MANY lessons for us as a family.<br /><br /><b>There have been lessons in faith...</b><br />&nbsp;and just free falling into God's hands when you finally let go and give your situation over to Him when you realize that you really don't have the control or the answers that you want or need.&nbsp; <i>LET GO...LET GOD :-)</i><br /><br /><b>There have been lessons in patience..</b><br />Combine three very active boys {one in the throes of puberty} plus one very sweet overworked husband trying to do everything for everyone and sometimes wearing pretty thing and throw in one well meaning, momma just trying to do her best to keep everyone {including herself} somewhat happy, healthy while bringing us closer to God.&nbsp; Sometimes that recipe in itself is a lesson in both patience and perseverance!<br /><br /><b>There have been lessons is prioritizing while persevering.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b><br />Believe it or not sometimes those two go hand in hand! If I have learned anything at all this past year, it is that nothing at all is laid in stone! Zip, zilch...<i>NADA!&nbsp;</i> There is absolutely nothing that we have total control of that will be 100% guaranteed that it will go our way as planned.&nbsp; {Just ask those people who did not receive their Christmas presents that were guaranteed by Dec. 24th!}<br /><br />The only one who can guarantee anything is Christ and I am placing my faith in Him to deliver.&nbsp; The delivery may not always arrive when I want it, but, most times it does arrive when I am in most need and that is the beauty of God's Divine Providence, isn't it?<br /><br /><b>I know {and must remind myself at times} what is most important at the end of the day.&nbsp;</b><br />&nbsp;If I can say that my family is in bed and healthy and happy and peaceful...then we've had a pretty great day and that is GOOD!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So...summing up...we need to be:</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">faithful</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">patient</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;carefully and diligently planning because life is WAY too short to let it fly by</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">thoughtful and be in the moment as much as possible</span></span></span></span></b></div><br />Even though this has been an incredibly challenging year for us, it has been a good year overall.&nbsp; We were truly blessed by many things including Jesus' continued love, guidance and buckets of grace being poured on us when we need it most!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-52320871054303739682014-01-10T04:58:00.001-08:002014-01-10T04:58:49.051-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QDEE5bp0Z8w/Us_tpmbI9XI/AAAAAAAABSQ/x7CuxYrtBHU/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QDEE5bp0Z8w/Us_tpmbI9XI/AAAAAAAABSQ/x7CuxYrtBHU/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;,sans-serif;">Santa brought Jenga and it is a HUGE hit!!</span></span></div>Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-86121014557605482752014-01-09T15:05:00.001-08:002014-01-09T15:05:16.594-08:00*Spectacular*There is nothing I love to photograph more than a gorgeous sunset.<br /><br />I am convinced that there are no sunsets more gorgeous than the ones we see in January!&nbsp; I believe that God made them that way for us to catch a glimpse of His wondrous masterpieces amidst the feet of snow that may be lying on the ground.<br /><br />My boys know my love for sunsets and Aley Cat was out with his Dad last weekend and called to tell me of this one.&nbsp; Even though it was 5 degrees outside, I braved the frigid temperatures and snapped a few beauties.<br /><br />Here are my two favorites.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSCC2OG-HKg/Us8QiMQ3ZLI/AAAAAAAABRw/vRl04HzoA0k/s1600/IMG_3308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSCC2OG-HKg/Us8QiMQ3ZLI/AAAAAAAABRw/vRl04HzoA0k/s1600/IMG_3308.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EzLikrT8F7M/Us8RASlEykI/AAAAAAAABR4/nGBo4VRVZB0/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EzLikrT8F7M/Us8RASlEykI/AAAAAAAABR4/nGBo4VRVZB0/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-27558464224077550182013-12-02T12:06:00.003-08:002013-12-02T12:06:45.829-08:00Resting In My Father This AdventTomorrow is a big day at our home!<br /><br />Each year, Lovey Dovey goes for his annual allergy testing to see how he is progressing with his food {and now environmental} allergies.&nbsp; Each year I hold my breath and anxiously peak at his little back for the twenty minutes checking the welts that have reacted to the allergens injected in him while we await the results.&nbsp; This is our seventh test and I am truly begging God for a Christmas miracle of sorts.&nbsp;<br /><br />Over the years his allergies have waxed and waned in intensity, but, have never reached the acceptable level to due a food challenge.&nbsp; The numbers have come close at times, but, never quite close enough.<br /><br />He has always been allergic to peanut, tree nuts, milk, egg {white and yolk}, wheat, dust and the past year we tacked on sesame seeds, ragweed, trees and grass to the mix.&nbsp; I was pretty crushed with last year's results as not only did the numbers increase, but, we added environmental allergies to it as well :(<br /><br /><br />So...as I sit here in the beginning days of Advent, I am praying fiercely to my Father asking Him..<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lord . I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but, please, Father, please oh please, just say the word and Lovey Dovey's allergies will be healed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></b></span><br /><br />This is my year of faith and at times it is hard for me to walk in faith, especially with things that are out of my control.&nbsp; <br /><br />Each year I go into the testing with my smile on and breath held!&nbsp; I always wish for the best, but, my best is not best.&nbsp; I usually go into it with complete trepidation.&nbsp; Not only is this HUGE for Lovey Dovey, but, my heart breaks for him all of the time with his allergies and I just pray that he outgrows some of them.&nbsp; Not all of them. I *know* there is little chance realistically that he will outgrow nuts, but, I am fine with that and although the idea of it still scares the hell out of me most days, this is how we roll now at our home now.&nbsp; There has not been a nut in my home for almost seven years now {well unless you include me!}.<br /><br />Now that he is getting older, it is much harder for him, and me and all of our family when he sees someone eating something that smells and tastes so good and he cannot have any...ever.&nbsp; He is SO good about it though and mostly takes it all in stride, but, he is only human and a little boy and there are days when the tears do come.&nbsp; Like I have said many times before, <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>this boy is my hero!</b></i></span></span> He really is.&nbsp; He takes is all in stride and understand is all so well for a six year old.&nbsp; I think it helps him now that Momma has Crohn's disease and manages it through diet alone.&nbsp; There are foods that I cannot eat now and he has some company now :-)<br /><br /><br />So...I wait until this time tomorrow for the results and I am doing my best to rest in Him and let Him handle this. I trust in His judgement and know that when His timing is right that something wonderful will happen for Lovey Dovey and his allergies.&nbsp; I just know it!<br /><br />Please say a prayer for Lovey Dovey if you can. We would be so very grateful if you did! <br /><br /><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-18532867889191970052013-11-18T05:56:00.001-08:002013-11-20T04:25:57.592-08:00Truly BlessedAs we enter into my favorite time of year, I want to keep in mind things...little and big...that I am truly thankful for.<br /><br />This morning as we begin our school work I am truly blessed to be able to say the Rosary with one of my boys while listening to the other two singing Christmas carols as they are *so* excited that Christmas choir begins in a few short weeks!<br /><br /><br /><br />What blessings are you thankful for?<br /><br /><br />Happy Monday sweet friends!Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-37403774607999766892013-11-16T05:45:00.001-08:002013-11-23T03:28:11.077-08:00Note to Self...Happy Weekend to All!<br />Here is a list of things I want to check out...soon...when I get a free minute :-)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amongstlovelythings.com/2013/10/listen-up-collection-of-my-favorite.html">Sarah's fabulous post on Audio Lectures</a> <br /><a href="http://www.circeinstitute.org/blog/teaching-state-rest">and her debut at Circe!</a><br />Sarah always finds the greatest ones to listen to!<br /><br /><a href="https://app.homeschoolminder.com/users/sign_in">Homeschool Minder</a><br />Great place to keep organized online.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.elizabethfoss.com/reallearning/2013/11/the-fine-line-between-preparing-and-jumping-the-gun.html">Christmas and Advent Goodies to Read</a><br />Elizabeth Foss just put out a great post loaded with all kinds of eye candy for us book lovers! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.elizabethfoss.com/reallearning/2013/11/knit-or-read-read-or-knit-and-some-great-quotes-for-marriage.html">A sweet honey cowl to knit</a><br /><br /><a href="http://fiveinarow.com/blog/2013/03/14/can-i-use-five-in-a-row-with-my-older-child/">FIAR for the older child</a><br />Thinking of bringing out FIAR again with the boys :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.elizabethfoss.com/reallearning/2013/09/a-is-for-apples-and-artists.html">In the Heart of My Home</a><br />Elizabeth Foss has a great post on Apples and Artists that looks like a keeper! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.halfahundredacrewood.com/2012/10/memory-work-review-games.html">The Lost Tools of Learning</a><br />Great piece from Dorothy Sayers that I found on <a href="http://www.halfahundredacrewood.com/2013/02/our-printables.html">Half a Hundred Acre Wood</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://leighbortins.com/you-asked-reading-thanks/">Leigh Bortinins book list of giving THANKS</a><br /><br /><a href="http://simplenourishinghome.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/what-i-have-learned-so-far-about-homeschooling-boys/">MOB socitety BOY mom </a>blog that looks interesting!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.halfahundredacrewood.com/2013/02/our-printables.html">Half a Hundred Acre Wood Printables</a>&nbsp; Looking into more CC memory type of work to supplement what we're doing.Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101740183938667157.post-55696790640480880572013-11-05T13:38:00.001-08:002013-11-05T13:38:03.389-08:00November~ A Month for Giving ThanksWe've been a bit busy in the regrouping and giving thanks phase of life for the past few weeks that I have not even had a minute to write a new blog post.&nbsp; I want to kick off one of my *favorite* times of year with giving THANKS.&nbsp; I am so very thankful these days and want to share it with the world.<br /><br />This is a repost from 2012 and one of my favorites.&nbsp; I hope you enjoy it too!<br />I promise to come back and write a new post on being thankful soon :-)<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Seeking Thanks and Joy Every Day</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shfZTwaKWMI/T9CnwlpXjmI/AAAAAAAAAkM/C0_KNXmbJZg/s1600/101_1966.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shfZTwaKWMI/T9CnwlpXjmI/AAAAAAAAAkM/C0_KNXmbJZg/s400/101_1966.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />We have been making many changes around here the past few months.&nbsp; Some good (most good) and some a little hesitant to make, but, all are necessary changes.&nbsp; As I write this I am typing from a new spot in my house that I like in theory, but, it is right in the middle of it all and is not very conducive to being all that thoughtful, but, maybe it is supposed to be this way to make sure I am not online for very long, lol!<br /><br />The changes we are making are mostly home renovations involving moving rooms around, finishing a room (or two) and just really trying to make our home more organized in the long run so it will free up more time to spend with each other.<br />&nbsp;2 parents + 3 boys + 1 border collie makes for quite a ruckus most days ;)<br /><br />While in the midst of all of these changes....I find myself at a standstill to many things I want to do.&nbsp; I am only able to get to a certain point and then something stops me from completing it.&nbsp; Nothing major, but, things out of my control.&nbsp; I have a few things rolling around in my mind that are half done that I would love to complete.&nbsp; I am trying to look at it from the point of view that maybe it is not supposed to be done that way right now and that God will show me a better way to do these few things.<br /><br />Either way this has led me to feeling stagnant over the past few weeks and just not as motivated as I would like to be.<br /><br /><br />So....I have decided to give thanks in the simple every day things that provide so much love and joy in life.&nbsp; I am thankful for it all, but, sometimes forget to actually offer up thanks for all of the precious gifts that I receive daily. <br /><br /><br />Sometimes when we get too caught up in doing things our way we can forget the sweet simpleness of life that God intended.<br /><br /><br />Today I am giving thanks for...<br /><br />Sweet little boys that hop into bed at 5:30 am to snuggle with his parents<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8JP8tBi1xRw/T9CnmradIsI/AAAAAAAAAj0/NpYXIpPSO0Y/s1600/101_1963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8JP8tBi1xRw/T9CnmradIsI/AAAAAAAAAj0/NpYXIpPSO0Y/s400/101_1963.JPG" width="400" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;And for boys on the brink of manhood that still like to watch Thomas the Tank Engine with his little brothers.&nbsp; I know these days are lingering and will most likely not last too much longer :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVhkSSSOOLg/T9Co0eK6fpI/AAAAAAAAAkY/IJf3m6NpYZM/s1600/bw+nic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVhkSSSOOLg/T9Co0eK6fpI/AAAAAAAAAkY/IJf3m6NpYZM/s400/bw+nic.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of all, today I am thankful for finding a dear friend! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCKOSPsSJYA/T9CnpRXb6DI/AAAAAAAAAj8/gbrcW2r6blk/s1600/Yoshi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCKOSPsSJYA/T9CnpRXb6DI/AAAAAAAAAj8/gbrcW2r6blk/s640/Yoshi.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>&nbsp;Lovey Dovey could not find his Yoshi last night at bedtime.&nbsp; Why is it that beloved friends disappear at bedtime?&nbsp; We searched all over this morning for Yoshi.&nbsp; I am a little sappy when they lose their lovies.&nbsp; I feel badly for them and the lost one.&nbsp; I have been known to make my husband climb into a dumpster to retrieve&nbsp; Handsome's very first Thomas the Tank Engine train that his grandfather gave him.&nbsp; Fortunately my dear husband is as sentimental as his wife!<br /><br />So after many prayers to St. Anthony and an hour of searching, Yoshi is back where he belongs and for that we are <i>THANKFUL</i>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etCvHE-FNMg/T9CntRN0pOI/AAAAAAAAAkE/2gTzbepXw_k/s1600/Yoshi+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etCvHE-FNMg/T9CntRN0pOI/AAAAAAAAAkE/2gTzbepXw_k/s400/Yoshi+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shfZTwaKWMI/T9CnwlpXjmI/AAAAAAAAAkM/C0_KNXmbJZg/s1600/101_1966.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVhkSSSOOLg/T9Co0eK6fpI/AAAAAAAAAkY/IJf3m6NpYZM/s1600/bw+nic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br />Ann-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08524341577985354422noreply@blogger.com0